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קִדְרוֹן

𐤒𐤃𐤓𐤅𐤍

Qideron

H6939 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קדר to be dark, to become black, to mourn

Definition

Proper noun designating a specific geographical feature: the Kidron, referring to the wadi (seasonal stream bed) located east of Jerusalem, between the city and the Mount of Olives. In biblical narrative, it most frequently denotes the geographical boundary feature (ravine, valley or brook) associated with important events, rather than an inhabited settlement. The term does not inherently carry the meaning of 'dusky place' in usage, but refers specifically to this landmark.

Semantic Range

Kidron (the valley/brook east of Jerusalem), Kidron Valley, geographical boundary adjacent to ancient Jerusalem, location of purging or ritual disposal; rarely, poetic allusion to darkness through etymology

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root קדר (q-d-r), meaning 'to be dark, murky, mournful.' The place name Qidrôwn may allude to the dark appearance of the valley or its waters, possibly due to shade or silt; however, in practice the name points to a particular topographical location, not a generic feature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The Kidron Valley is mentioned throughout the Hebrew Bible as the site of significant events, including purging actions by Judahite kings (e.g., 2 Kings 23:4, 6, 12), a route used during David's flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:23), and the location for the disposal of impure objects. In post-exilic and Second Temple literature, the term continues to denote this recognizable watershed. English translations often render it as 'Kidron,' sometimes as 'Kidron Valley' or 'Brook Kidron.' The place name does not imply settlement or ethnic identity; its function is topographical. The term’s association with darkness derives from its etymology but is not a prominent semantic component in context. Later religious traditions sometimes infuse the site with additional symbolic meanings, but these are not present in biblical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָדַר; dusky place; Kidron, a brook near Jerusalem; Kidron.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קדר (q-d-r) — to be dark, to become black, to mourn

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6937 קָדַר I will darken them
H6938 קֵדָר to Qedar
H6940 קַדְרוּת gloomy darkness
H6941 קְדֹרַנִּית in mourning-blackness

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6939-01 קִדְר֔וֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine 11

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6939-01 2 Samuel 15:23 קִדְר֔וֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 1 Kings 2:37 קִדְר֔וֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 1 Kings 15:13 קִדְרֽוֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 2 Kings 23:4 קִדְר֔וֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 2 Kings 23:6 קִדְר֔וֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 2 Kings 23:6 קִדְר֖וֹן qideron-2 HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 2 Kings 23:12 קִדְרֽוֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 Jeremiah 31:40 קִדְר֜וֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 2 Chronicles 15:16 קִדְרֽוֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
H6939-01 2 Chronicles 29:16 קִדְר֖וֹן qideron HNp Kidron Kidron Ravine
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